Turning Public Data Into Tools for Early Literacy
At Read to Grow, we’ve spent the past two years asking a deceptively simple question: How can we make better use of the data that already exists to strengthen early literacy work across Connecticut? The answer has taken us into state education databases, federal directories, licensing records, and more than a dozen other public data sources. Along the way, we’ve learned that the biggest challenge isn’t necessarily finding data—it’s turning scattered, inconsistent information into something that organizations can actually use. That’s the story we’ll be sharing during an upcoming free webinar with our longtime data partner, North Arrow, on September 22, 2026. From Scattered Data to Usable Resources Over the past two years, our team has worked to bring together information that exists across Connecticut’s public data systems and transform it into practical resources for the early literacy field. We pulled together twenty years of state education data, which arrived in inconsistent formats from year to year, and created a single longitudinal file that allows us to measure our reach against student populations district by district. We also combined more than a dozen sources to build a statewide map showing where families can access books—from public and school libraries to childcare centers, bookstores, Little Free Libraries, and Read to Grow partner sites. We then developed an index to examine how easily families can reach those resources by car and public transportation. Rather than keeping these tools for ourselves, we created a public data hub to shared our findings so that partners, school districts, funders, researchers, and others working in early literacy can use them, too. Join Us on September 22 During our upcoming 60-minute, free webinar with North Arrow, Read to Grow Executive Director Suzannah Holsenbeck and Data Director Paula Grimm will share what we’ve learned from this journey. They’ll discuss how to get started with data even without a dedicated data team, how we transformed raw public data into usable resources for the early literacy field, and the role AI played along the way. The literacy sector is our case study, but the lessons extend well beyond early literacy. If you’re a nonprofit leader, program director, funder, or other changemaker wondering how your organization can make better use of the data that already exists, we hope you’ll join us. The webinar is free, lasts 60 minutes, and will include time for questions. Register for the webinar here → https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nonprofits-as-data-infrastructure-tickets-1999375997430 We’re looking forward to sharing what we’ve learned—and hearing what you’re learning, too.
A New Season of Popcorn & PJs is Coming This Fall!
Read to Grow is excited to announce the full lineup for our Fall 2026 Season of Popcorn & PJs! We’re grateful to once again have Citizens Bank as our presenting sponsor and can’t wait to welcome two brand-new authors, along with a returning author and illustrator duo, to our virtual storytime series. Popcorn & PJs is the perfect way to spend special reading time with the little one in your life. Families can cozy up from the comfort of home with a new children’s book, popcorn, crayons and a sketchpad, and a fun activity led by our featured authors and illustrators. It’s a chance to make reading a little more special—and create lasting memories together. Meet the Authors! Winsome Bingham We’re kicking off our Fall season on Tuesday, October 13 with the incredible Winsome Bingham, author of Fish Fry Friday! This heartwarming story celebrates family, community, and the traditions that bring us together. Filled with warmth, love, and delicious food, Fish Fry Friday highlights the joy of gathering with family and sharing special moments across generations. We’re looking forward to an evening filled with storytelling, connection, and plenty of opportunities for young readers to celebrate the traditions that make their families unique. Debbi Michiko Florence Our November featured author is the wonderful Debbi Michiko Florence, who will share her book Monster Maker: The Strange Creatures of Mark Nagata on Tuesday, November 17. This inspiring nonfiction picture book introduces young readers to the creative mind behind some truly imaginative Kaiju monsters. Through art, imagination, and perseverance, Monster Maker encourages children to embrace their creativity, follow their interests, and pursue the things that inspire them. Laurenne Sala & Zara González Hoang We’re thrilled to welcome back returning author Laurenne Sala and illustrator Zara González Hoang on Tuesday, December 8 for our Fall season finale! The duo will share Mi Escuela Is My School, a joyful celebration of school, community, and bilingual learning. Through vibrant illustrations and lyrical storytelling, this heartwarming picture book celebrates the many ways children can feel at home in the classroom while honoring the richness of language and culture. We can’t think of a better way to wrap up another season of Popcorn & PJs! Join Us for Popcorn & PJs! Whether you’re discovering a new favorite author, sharing a beloved story with your child, or simply looking for a fun way to make reading time more special, Popcorn & PJs has something for every young reader. So grab your coziest pajamas, pop some popcorn, and get ready for a season of stories, creativity, and family fun! Want to learn more? Click here to visit the Popcorn & PJs page on our website to learn more about the program, our featured authors, and find out how to get tickets for each event.
State Officials Join Read to Grow in Celebrating National Health Center Week
As part of National Health Center Week (August 2–8, 2026), Read to Grow joined the dedicated team at Norwalk Community Health Center (NCHC) to celebrate the vital role community health centers play in supporting Connecticut families. Read to Grow Executive Director Suzannah Holsenbeck welcomed state and local leaders to NCHC for a legislative visit focused on the importance of early literacy and the powerful role healthcare providers play in helping families build a strong foundation for lifelong learning from the very beginning. State Representatives Robin Comey, Lucy Dathan, and Tracy Marra, along with Senator Bob Duff, met with NCHC staff to learn more about the comprehensive care they provide to patients every day. Throughout the visit, they heard firsthand about the impact community health centers have on families and saw that impact in action by meeting with prenatal patients and learning how early literacy is incorporated into care. As part of the visit, legislators helped distribute free books and literacy materials to expectant families and even read stories aloud in both English and Spanish, reinforcing the message that reading, talking, and singing with children can begin long before a child enters the classroom. Read to Grow extends a special thank you to the Norwalk Community Health Center team—including CEO Kenneth Waller, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Djana Harp, Community Maternal Case Manager Sonia Morales, and Director of Development & Communication Betty Cordellos—for hosting this meaningful event and sharing their incredible work with our community partners. Read to Grow is proud to partner with community health centers across Connecticut to ensure every family has the resources they need to nurture language development and a lifelong love of reading from birth. We are grateful to Norwalk Community Health Center for hosting this meaningful event and to our elected officials for taking the time to champion early literacy alongside us.
Read to Grow Featured in CTInsider Story on Early Childhood Literacy
Photo via Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Read to Grow was recently featured in a CTInsider article exploring the importance of reading aloud to young children and the challenges many Connecticut families face in making storytime part of their daily routines. The article highlights findings from a new statewide survey showing that while most parents recognize the value of reading with their children, barriers such as limited time and access to books can make it difficult for many families. Read to Grow is recognized for helping bridge that gap by providing free books to families across Connecticut—especially through our Books for Babies program, which reaches nearly every birthing hospital in the state. Executive Director Suzannah Holsenbeck also shared why reading from birth is so important, emphasizing that reading, talking, and singing to babies support healthy brain development and lay the foundation for lifelong literacy. She also stressed the importance of giving children access to books that reflect their interests, helping them develop a genuine love of reading. We’re grateful to CTInsider for highlighting the importance of early literacy and the work being done across Connecticut to ensure every child has the opportunity to grow up with books. We encourage you to click here and read the full article to learn more about the survey findings and hear from literacy experts across the state.
New PNAS Study Confirms the Efficacy of Home Literacy
Photo via the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences At Read to Grow, our mission is to promote language and literacy for children beginning at birth and to support families as their babies’ first teachers. Every book we share and every family we serve is guided by decades of research showing that early literacy experiences lay the foundation for lifelong learning. For more than 100 years, researchers have observed that children who grow up in homes filled with books are more likely to achieve higher levels of academic success. For many years, however, it was unclear whether books themselves made the difference or whether they simply reflected other advantages, such as higher family income or parents’ education levels. Now, new research offers compelling evidence that books themselves play a meaningful role. A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that having books in the home has a direct, positive impact on children’s learning and educational outcomes. The findings suggest that simply increasing children’s access to books can have lasting benefits for their development and future success. For Read to Grow, these findings reinforce what we’ve known all along: getting books into the hands of children matters. That’s why we’re committed to ensuring every child has access to books from the very beginning of life. Through our programs, families receive high-quality children’s books along with guidance and encouragement to make reading a joyful part of everyday routines. By helping parents and caregivers build confidence as their child’s first teacher, we’re creating opportunities for language-rich interactions that support healthy development. Research continues to affirm the importance of early literacy, and we’re proud to put that research into action every day. Together with the families we serve, we’re helping children build strong foundations for learning, fostering a love of reading, and creating brighter futures—one book at a time.
Read to Grow Helps Launch the 2026 Governor’s Summer Learning Challenge
On July 1, the Connecticut State Library hosted the kickoff event for the Governor’s Summer Learning Challenge at the West Haven Public Library. Summer 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of this statewide initiative, which encourages children and families to explore the programs, resources, and opportunities available through libraries and community organizations while inspiring a lifelong love of reading and learning. Read to Grow Executive Director Suzannah Holsenbeck joined state legislators, literacy advocates, educators, and community leaders from West Haven to celebrate the launch of this year’s challenge and highlight the many ways organizations like Read to Grow help children and families stay engaged in reading and learning throughout the summer months. To learn more about the Governor’s Summer Learning Challenge kickoff event, read the full press release from the Connecticut State Library: https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/ld.php?content_id=85381786
Read to Grow Welcomes a New Co-Coordinator to the Books for Kids Team
Read to Grow is excited to announce that our team has grown! Join us in welcoming Brittany Shelton as the new Co-Coordinator of our Books for Kids program. Brittany brings extensive experience working with preschool- and elementary-aged children, along with a deep commitment to supporting children and families through early literacy. Prior to joining Read to Grow, Brittany worked with Save the Children, where she partnered with parents, caregivers, and educators to help children thrive. Her background includes training and supporting adults who work with young children, giving her valuable insight into building strong literacy environments both at home and in the community. As the Books for Kids program continues to expand and serve more children and families each year, Brittany’s knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion for literacy will help strengthen our impact across Connecticut. We’re excited to have her on board as we continue working to ensure every child has the opportunity to develop a lifelong love of reading. Please give Brittany a warm welcome to the Read to Grow team—we’re excited to write our next chapter together!
Expanding Access to Books Through Read, Grow, Go
Summer is a time for adventure, exploration, and making memories—but it should also be a time for reading. As the school year comes to a close, many children lose regular access to books and literacy resources. That’s why Read to Grow is excited to launch Read, Grow, Go, a new summer initiative designed to bring books directly to children and families across Connecticut. Through Read, Grow, Go, the Bookmobile will make special stops at public parks and community centers throughout the state, creating new opportunities for families to discover books, build home libraries, and stay engaged in reading all summer long. For years, the Read to Grow Bookmobile has helped connect children with high-quality books in communities across Connecticut. Read, Grow, Go expands that mission by bringing the Bookmobile to places where families are already spending time during the summer months. Whether you’re visiting a neighborhood park, attending a community event, or looking for a fun family outing, you’ll have the chance to step aboard the Bookmobile, browse a selection of children’s books, and learn more about Read to Grow’s programs. There are currently five Read, Grow, Go stops planned for this summer, and every event is free and open to the public. These special events are being offered in addition to the stops featured on our monthly Bookmobile maps, creating even more opportunities for children to connect with books throughout the season. Use the map below to find an upcoming Read, Grow, Go stop, or follow Read to Grow on social media for updates, photos, and announcements throughout the summer. Whether you’re searching for your child’s next favorite book or simply stopping by to say hello, we can’t wait to see you out on the road this summer.
Celebrating Community Support for A Night for the Books
Photo via 06608 Dan Woog Read to Grow’s annual fundraising gala, A Night for the Books, returns to the Westport Library in just over a month on May 7, 2026—and we’re grateful to be welcomed back by the wonderful Westport community. On March 20, Westport’s own Dan Woog—journalist, author, and community advocate—featured Read to Grow’s upcoming event on his local news blog, 06880, which highlights important stories from in and around Westport. To read the full blog post on the 06608 blog page, click the link below. To purchase tickets to the gala or sponsor the event, click here and become part of another magical evening celebrating the power of early literacy. https://06880danwoog.com/2026/03/20/roundup-craig-melvin-railroad-parking-cyber-threats/
Westport Welcomes Read to Grow Back for A Night for the Books
Photo via the Westport Journal Last month, Read to Grow announced that its annual fundraising gala, A Night for the Books, will make its grand return to the Westport Library on May 7, 2026. On March 16, the Westport Journal broke an exclusive story featuring exciting details about Read to Grow’s presence in Westport, highlights guests can look forward to at this year’s gala, and—most importantly—news about Books for Babies’ newest literacy resource: a board book titled Where Love Grows, which will be officially unveiled at the event. To read the Westport Journal’s full article, click the link below. To purchase tickets to the gala or sponsor the event, click here and become part of another magical evening celebrating the power of early literacy. https://westportjournal.com/community/read-to-grow-hosts-fundraiser-supporting-connecticut-families
